The Daily Mail has an article about "farmyard freaks" — livestock that has been genetically engineered to make them totally docile.
Factory farming techniques, most commonly used with pigs and chicken, often involve keeping animals confined in cramped conditions.
For pigs, who are highly intelligent, these conditions can lead to stress and aggression.
However, GM scientists are actively investigating ways to remove the stress and aggression gene from animals, effectively turning them into complacent zombies.
The professor said it might become technically possible to produce "animal vegetables" – beasts which are "highly prolific and oblivious to their physical and mental status".
(Thanks, Denis Drye!)
Previously on Boing Boing:
• Pig carcass disaster cleanup photos Link
• Diving pig electrocuted Link
• David Beckham's alleged lover masturbates a pig on UK TV show Link
• Delicious beverage made of pig whipworm eggs is also good for you! Link
Reader comment:
Ludlow Spinks Esq says:
Couple of points about the "Zombie pigs genetically altered to not
mind being food"a) I don't know if you're familiar with the British press, but the
Daily Mail is one of the most unpleasantly right-wing, sensationalist
and panic-mongering of our papers, so I would not trust anything I
read in it.b) I'm surprised you didn't mention Douglas Adams's Hitchhikers Guide
To The Galaxy, which features an animal which not only doesn't mind
being eaten but actively wants to be, and tells the diners in the
Restaurant At The End Of The Universe as much, advising them on which
of its cuts are likely to be tastiest.Please don't take this as criticism however – words cannot describe
how much I enjoy the Boingboing blog.
Justin says:
Saw the interesting story you posted about genetically altered pigs. Oddly enough, my friends and I did a comedic short film for a friends pig roast not too long ago, which includes an interesting infomercial for "GAP" pigs. Have a laugh if you a moment. Link
